Enhancements for operation of a timer

ABSTRACT

A method and an apparatus for operating a timer in an integrated circuit (IC) are disclosed herein. The IC includes a timer, a receiver configured to receive a circuit switched (CS) service notification, a transmitter configured to transmit an evolved packet system mobility management extended service request (ESR) message, and a processor configured to start the timer in response to transmitting the ESR and stop the timer in response to reception of a handover command and completion of a CS fallback procedure by the receiver, wherein the handover command directs the IC to handover to another radio access technology (RAT) so that a CS call may be established. The processor may be configured to stop the timer in response to reception of a cell change command and completion of a CS fallback procedure by the receiver, wherein the cell change command directs the IC to perform a cell change procedure.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/615,762 filed Nov. 10, 2009, which issues as U.S. Pat. No. 8,903,376on Dec. 2, 2014, which claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication Nos. 61/112,880, filed Nov. 10, 2008 and 61/166,071, filedApr. 2, 2009, which are incorporated by reference as if fully set forthherein.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This application is related to wireless communications.

BACKGROUND

FIG. 1 shows an overview of an Evolved Universal MobileTelecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network(E-UTRAN) 100 in accordance with the prior art. As shown in FIG. 1,E-UTRAN 100 includes three eNodeBs (eNBs) 102, however, any number ofeNBs may be included in E-UTRAN 100. The eNBs 102 are interconnected byan X2 interface 108. The eNBs 102 are also connected by an S1 interface106 to the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) 104. The EPC 104 includes aMobility Management Entity (MME) 108 and a Serving Gateway (S-GW) 112.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a service request procedure 200 inaccordance with the prior art. At step 202, a WTRU transmits a SERVICEREQUEST message to an eNB. At step 204, the WTRU starts a timer, such astimer T3417ext, for example. At step 206, the WTRU entersEMM-SERVICE-REQUEST-INITIATED state. At step 208, the WTRU determinesthat a user plane radio bearer is set up and therefore the procedure issuccessful. At step 210, the WTRU stops the timer and enters anEMM-REGISTERED state.

FIG. 3 is a signal diagram of a service request procedure 300 inaccordance with the prior art. An eNB 302 transmits a circuit switched(CS) call request 304 to a WTRU 306. The eNB 302 also transmits a CSservice notification 308 to the WTRU 306. The WTRU 306 responds to theeNB 302 with an extended service request (ESR) message 310. The WTRU 306then starts a timer 312. If the NAS security mode control procedure iscompleted 314, or if NAS radio bearers are established 316 or a servicereject message 318 is received by the WTRU 306, the timer is stopped320.

If the WTRU 306 is in an EMM-CONNECTED mode when the ESR 310 istransmitted to the network, NAS security 314 may already be established.Furthermore, if the WTRU receives a change cell message or a handovercommand, no bearers are setup. Consequently, other than receiving aservice reject message, which indicates a failure of the service requestprocedure, the WTRU will not stop the timer even though the servicerequest procedure was successful.

In addition, if the WTRU 306 is in EMM-IDLE mode and transmits a servicerequest message 310 to the eNB 302 for a CS fallback request, thenetwork may not initiate the security mode procedure. The security modeprocedure is a network operator option and may not be implemented by alloperators. In this instance, the WTRU 306 may not use the completion ofthe security mode procedure as an indication to stop the timer, and thetimer may continue to run.

The foregoing discussion with respect to LTE is provided as an exampleand may have applicability to other wireless technologies and standards.Furthermore, while the foregoing discussion is with respect to a timer,one skilled in the art may recognize that any time keeping or controldevice, such as a counter, may be used in place of the timer.

SUMMARY

A method and an apparatus for operating a timer in an integrated circuit(IC) are disclosed herein. The IC includes a timer, a receiverconfigured to receive a circuit switched (CS) service notification, atransmitter configured to transmit an evolved packet system mobilitymanagement extended service request (ESR) message, and a processorconfigured to start the timer in response to transmitting the ESR andstop the timer in response to reception of a handover command andcompletion of a CS fallback procedure by the receiver, wherein thehandover command directs the IC to handover to another radio accesstechnology (RAT) so that a CS call may be established. The processor maybe configured to stop the timer in response to reception of a cellchange command and completion of a CS fallback procedure by thereceiver, wherein the cell change command directs the IC to perform acell change procedure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more detailed understanding may be had from the following description,given by way of example in conjunction with the accompanying drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 shows an overview of an Evolved Universal MobileTelecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network(E-UTRAN) in accordance with the prior art;

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a service request procedure in accordancewith the prior art;

FIG. 3 is a signal diagram of a service request procedure in accordancewith the prior art;

FIG. 4 shows a wireless communication system in accordance with anembodiment;

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the WTRU and the eNB of thewireless communication system of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 shows a signaling diagram of an EMM service request procedure inaccordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 7A is a signal diagram showing a method to operate a timer inaccordance with an embodiment; and

FIG. 7B is a signal diagram showing a method to operate the timer inaccordance with another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

When referred to hereafter, the terminology “wireless transmit/receiveunit (WTRU)” includes but is not limited to a user equipment (UE), amobile station, a fixed or mobile subscriber unit, a pager, a cellulartelephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a computer, or any othertype of user device capable of operating in a wireless environment. Whenreferred to hereafter, the terminology “base station” includes but isnot limited to a Node-B, a site controller, an access point (AP), or anyother type of interfacing device capable of operating in a wirelessenvironment.

FIG. 4 shows a wireless communication system 400 in accordance with anembodiment. The communication system 400 includes a plurality of WTRUs410 and an e Node B (eNB) 420. As shown in FIG. 4, the WTRUs 410, are incommunication with the eNB 420. Although three WTRUs 410 and one eNB 420are shown in FIG. 4, it should be noted that any combination of wirelessand wired devices may be included in the wireless communication system400.

Each of the WTRUs 410 may include an Enhanced Packet System (EPS)Mobility Management entity (EMM) 413. The WTRUs 410 may operate in oneof two mobility states. When at least one of the WTRUs 410 has nonon-access stratum (NAS) signaling connection between the WTRUs 410 andthe eNB 420, it may be in an EMM-IDLE mode. When one of the WTRUs 410establishes an NAS signaling connection, it is in an EMM-CONNECTED mode.

Each of the WTRUs 410 may use a service request procedure to transfertheir EMM mode from EMM-IDLE to EMM-CONNECTED and to establish radiobearers to send uplink (UL) user data. UL data is data that is sent fromthe WTRUs 410 to the eNB 420.

The service request procedure may also be used to invoke a mobileoriginating (MO) or mobile terminating (MT) circuit switched (CS)fallback procedure. The procedure may also be used when the network hasdownlink (DL) signaling pending, one of the WTRUs 410 has UL signalingpending, one of the WTRUs 410 or the eNB 420 has user data pending andthe WTRU for which the user data is intended is in EMM-IDLE mode, orwhen one of the WTRUs 410 is in EMM-IDLE or EMM-CONNECTED mode and hasrequested to perform MO or MT CS fallback.

The service request procedure may be initiated by at least one of theWTRUs 410. However, for DL signaling or transfer of user data while aWTRU is in EMM-IDLE mode, a trigger may be sent by the eNB 420 in apaging message. The WTRU targeted by the paging message may invoke theservice request procedure when the WTRU receives the paging message, haspending user data to be sent, or has pending UL signaling. A WTRU inEMM-IDLE or EMM-CONNECTED mode may invoke the service request procedurewhen the WTRU receives a CS fallback request or receives a notificationfor a CS call, such as a page or a service notification.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram 500 of one of the WTRUs410 and theeNB 420 of the wireless communication system 400 of FIG. 4. As shown inFIG. 3, the WTRU 310 is in communication with the eNB 320. In additionto the components that may be found in a typical WTRU, the WTRU 310includes a processor 515, a receiver 516, a transmitter 517, and anantenna 518. The WTRU 310 may also include a user interface 521, whichmay include, but is not limited to, an LCD or LED screen, a touchscreen, a keyboard, a stylus, or any other typical input/output device.The WTRU 410 may also include memory 519, both volatile and non-volatileas well as interfaces 520 to other WTRU's, such as USB ports, serialports and the like. The WTRU 410 may also include a control device 522,such as a timer, a counter or other time or count based control devices.The control device 522 may be electrically coupled to the processor 515.

The receiver 516 and the transmitter 517 are in communication with theprocessor 515. The antenna 518 is in communication with both thereceiver 516 and the transmitter 517 to facilitate the transmission andreception of wireless data. The WTRU may be configured with a non-accessstratum entity (NAS), a radio resource control entity (RRC), a mediumaccess control entity (MAC) and other entities that serve to processparticular commands and perform particular duties. The WTRU may beconfigured to operate in a PS and/or a CS environment, and to receive,transmit and process both PS and CS commands. The WTRU may includecounters, timers, and other devices used for timing various procedures.

In addition to the components that may be found in a typical eNB, theeNB 320 includes a processor 525, a receiver 526, a transmitter 527, andan antenna 528. The receiver 526 and the transmitter 527 are incommunication with the processor 525. The antenna 528 is incommunication with both the receiver 526 and the transmitter 527 tofacilitate the transmission and reception of wireless data.

FIG. 6 shows a signaling diagram of an EMM service request procedure 600in accordance with an embodiment. An eNB 602 transmits a CS call request606 and a CS service notification 608 to a WTRU 604. The WTRU 604, whichis in connected mode, transmits an extended service request 610 to theeNB 602. The WTRU starts a timer 612. The WTRU 604 receives a handovercommand 614 and the WTRU stops the timer 616. Therefore, along with theother criteria for stopping the timer, as shown in FIG. 6, the WTRU 604stops the timer 616 when it receives a handover 614 or cell changecommand. If the timer expires prior to a mobility message being receivedby the WTRU 604, such as a handover command or cell change command, theprocedure is aborted.

When a WTRU transmits an ESR for a CS fallback and the request isrejected, the WTRU may send an indication to the eNB, in the extendedservice request, that the CS call is rejected. If this occurs, a triggermay be used to stop the timer. FIG. 7A is a signal diagram showing amethod to stop a timer 700 when an ESR message is sent with anindication of call rejection in accordance with an embodiment. An eNB702 sends a CS call request 706 and a CS service notification 708 to aWTRU 704. The WTRU 704 sends an EMM service request message including aCS call rejection indication 710 to the eNB 702. The timer is started712 once the extended service request message with the CS call rejectionindication 710 is transmitted. The timer is the stopped 714. The timermay be stopped 714 immediately after the extended service requestmessage 710 is transmitted. Alternatively, the timer may be stoppedafter a predetermined time has elapsed, for example, after half the timethat the timer would have run if the CS call was accepted The NAS entitymay receive a notification from a lower layer entity, such as the RRC orMAC, for example, that acknowledges the transmittal of the ESR. Thenotification may be used as a trigger to stop the timer.

FIG. 7B is a signal diagram showing a method to stop a timer 750 when anESR message is sent with an indication of call rejection in accordancewith another embodiment. The eNB 702 sends the CS call request 706 andthe CS service notification 708 to the WTRU 704. The WTRU 704 sends theESR message including a CS call rejection indication 710 to the eNB 702.A protocol data unit (PDU) 752, an NAS message, such as a NAS messagefrom the eNB to the WTRU to acknowledge receipt of the ESR 754, or anRRC message 756, is sent from or to the WTRU 702. The receipt ortransmission of the message triggers the WTRU to stop the timer 714.

Alternatively, the timer may be allowed to expire without the WTRU 702determining that the expiration of the timer indicates a problem.Furthermore, the timer may not be started at all if the CS call isrejected. The stopping of the timer indicates the fallback procedure wascompleted successfully.

The present disclosure, while directed to a timer, may be applicable toany number of control devices, such as counters, for example. A timer,as used in herein, is an example of a control device.

Although features and elements are described above in particularcombinations, each feature or element can be used alone without theother features and elements or in various combinations with or withoutother features and elements. The methods or flow charts provided hereinmay be implemented in a computer program, software, or firmwareincorporated in a computer-readable storage medium for execution by ageneral purpose computer or a processor. Examples of computer-readablestorage mediums include a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory(RAM), a register, cache memory, semiconductor memory devices, magneticmedia such as internal hard disks and removable disks, magneto-opticalmedia, and optical media such as CD-ROM disks, and digital versatiledisks (DVDs).

Suitable processors include, by way of example, a general purposeprocessor, a special purpose processor, a conventional processor, adigital signal processor (DSP), a plurality of microprocessors, one ormore microprocessors in association with a DSP core, a controller, amicrocontroller, Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), FieldProgrammable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) circuits, any other type of integratedcircuit (IC), and/or a state machine.

A processor in association with software may be used to implement aradio frequency transceiver for use in a wireless transmit receive unit(WTRU), user equipment (UE), terminal, base station, radio networkcontroller (RNC), or any host computer. The WTRU may be used inconjunction with modules, implemented in hardware and/or software, suchas a camera, a video camera module, a videophone, a speakerphone, avibration device, a speaker, a microphone, a television transceiver, ahands free headset, a keyboard, a Bluetooth® module, a frequencymodulated (FM) radio unit, a liquid crystal display (LCD) display unit,an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display unit, a digital musicplayer, a media player, a video game player module, an Internet browser,and/or any wireless local area network (WLAN) or Ultra Wide Band (UWB)module.

What is claimed is:
 1. An integrated circuit (IC) comprising: a timer; areceiver configured to receive a circuit switched (CS) servicenotification; a transmitter configured to transmit an evolved packetsystem mobility management extended service request (ESR) message; and aprocessor configured to start the timer in response to transmitting theESR and stop the timer in response to reception of a handover commandand completion of a CS fallback procedure by the receiver, wherein thehandover command directs the IC to handover to another radio accesstechnology (RAT) so that a CS call may be established.
 2. An integratedcircuit (IC) comprising: a timer; a receiver configured to receive acircuit switched (CS) service notification; a transmitter configured totransmit an evolved packet system mobility management extended servicerequest (ESR) message; and a processor configured to start the timer inresponse to transmitting the ESR and stop the timer in response toreception of a cell change command and completion of a CS fallbackprocedure by the receiver, wherein the cell change command directs theIC to perform a cell change procedure.